Defining a new reality

In reading Scott Wilson's book: Steering through Chaos it is amazing how quickly someones world can be wrecked when a new reality is defined for us. In Acts chapter one, eleven men in the blink of an eye had their world wrecked as Jesus ascended into heaven with the instructions that they were now in charge of this endeavour. It was now up to them to bring the gospel first to Jerusalem, then to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost ends of the earth. Talk about introducing chaos and wrecking lives.

Think about it for a minute. For three plus years these men followed Jesus with the hope and desire to see his Kingdom come and his reign begin. When Jesus re-defined their reality in John chapters 13-17 they began to realize that things were not going to be as they had anticipated.

Isn't it that way for us also? We get in our heads how something is supposed to be done based upon what we perceive, or how it has always been accomplished in the past. That can be a very large roadblock when God wants to takes us down roads we have never been on before. That is exactly what happened to the disciples. He defined a new reality for them. One that they could have said 'no' to. They could have said: 'I just can't go there or do that. It's going to be too hard and stretch me too much.' Yet they didn't. They floundered for a while, but never lost sight of what Jesus, their leader had called them to. As a result, the church exploded and new converts were added daily. [Acts 2:47]

Scott Wilson says this: 'Change and transition provides wonderful opportunities, but will rattle people you lead to the core.' When that happens the best thing for us as a body to do is go to prayer, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and understand that GOD will speak clearly to us when we do. It is very good to pray individually, but to pray corporately allows GOD not only to speak, but to confirm his vision for us as a body.

Vision 2020 here at COTR is creating chaos and blessing at the same time. If we as a church seek GOD alone and together, the vision he has for us will present itself clearly. Jesus wants to define a new reality for us. One that will take us into the future and impact our community with the truth of the Gospel.

A leaders primary task is to define reality for his people. [Max Depree]